Portable bath-tub.



' No. 860,577. PATENTED JULY 16, 1907. F M SHERRER & B M FALER PORTABLEBATH TUB.

APPLIOATION FILED FEB 23 1907 2 SHEETS-SHEET l.

[NI ENTORS F BY 5 I WWAIW WITNESSES No. 860,577. PATENTED JULY 16, 1907.F. M. SHERRER & B. M. FALER.

PORTABLE BATH TUB.

APPLICATION FILED FEB. 23. 1907.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

9 Q awwrow attoznug THE MoRRIs PETERS cm, wasmmrrwv, a. c.

9 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

FREDRICK M. SHERRER AND BENJAMIN M. FALER, OF PORTLAND, ARKANSAS.

PORTABLE BATH-TUB.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented July 16, 1907.

Application filed February 23, 1907. Serial No. 358.836.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that we, FREDRICK M. SHERRER and BENJAMIN M. FALER, citizensof the United States, residing at Portland, in the county of Ashley andState of Arkansas, have invented new and useful Improvements in PortableBath-Tubs, of which the following is a specification.

Our invention has relation to new and useful improvements in bath tubs;and consists of making the body of the tub in two separate parts, whichare hinged together at their inner ends, and which parts are providednear their outer ends, with detachable legs, the said parts being soconstructed as to be folded up and put away.

The object of my invention is the production of a bath tub of this classthat can be readily used near the bed side when bathing sick persons,and which, after having been used, may be folded up so as to be easilymoved around and which will occupy but very little space when folded.This tub is of such construction that it may be carried by a physicianin his practice with but slight inconvenience.

In the accompanying drawings, in which like numerals designate likeparts throughout the several views :Figure 1, is a side elevation of myinvention, when ready for use. Fig. 2, is a side elevation of myinvention, the sack and sack supporter removed. Fig. 3, is a sideelevation of my detachable hook hinge, when ready to be brought intoposition. Fig. 4, is a side elevation of my detachable hook hinge,showing the two members detached. Fig. 5, is a side elevation of one ofthe members of my detachable hook hinge, the front safety plate removed.Fig. 6, is a detail view, showing the manner of connecting the twomembers of the body with butt hinges. Fig. 7, is a bottom plan view ofmy sack supporter. Fig. 8, is a bottom plan view of my invention, whenready for use. Fig. 9, is a perspective view of a sack used inconnection with my invention.

My invention is described as follows :The numerals 1 and 2, representthe two members of the tub, the two b tting or adjacent ends beingpreferably constructed in such a manner as to provide detachable hookhinges. (See Fig. 4.) The two members of my detachable hinge may becomposed of any suitable material, the upper outer portion of the member11, being preferably curved as at 12, and provided with an outwardlyextending peg 13, adapted to enter a hole, as represented by the dottedlines 14, of the member 15. The upper portion of the said member 15, isalso cln-ved, as at 15 in such a manner as to conform to the curvedportion of the said member 11, and is provided with a notch recess 16(see Fig. 5), adapted to receive and hold a hook 17, of said member 11,when the two said parts are brought into position. The said member 15,is also provided at its outer face, with a safety plate 18,

and with a similar safety plate on its inner face, as shown by thedotted lines 19, of Fig. 5. A hook 20, and staple 21, of any suitableconstruction, are employed to assist in holding the two members securelytogether.

By providing the member 15, of my improved tub, with said safety plates,1 insure against any liability of lateral displacement of the two saidmembers, and by providing the member 11, with a peg l3, and member 15,with a hole 14, and employing a hook and staple, I insure against anyliability of vertical displacement of said members. This method ofconnecting the two adjacent ends of the body together is one of greatmerit, as it enables me to detach the two said members 11 and 15 at amoments notice, and cause the bath tub to occupy but very little space.The two said members of the body of my improved bath tub, are alsoprovided, midway between their ends, with detachable legs 4. Thenmanufacturing my invention for cheaper sales, I do away with mydetachable hook hinge, and unite the two members by simple butt hinges5. (See Fig. 6.)

On the outer side of each member of the body, at any desired distancefrom its upper edge, is cut a recess 6, in which the upper edge of thesack 7, is secured. This sack may be made of rubber, mackintosh, orother suitable water proof material. If made from Inackintosh thereshould be a draw string 7 running through a casing 7 at the upper edgeof the sack. If made of rubber or other flexible material, to be madewith a rolled edge. I also provide the body of my improved tub, with aseries of spring clasps 3; these said clasps come in contact with therolled edge or draw string of my sack in such a manner as to prevent therolled edge or draw string of said sack from leaving the said recess 6,of the body.

Secured to the two members of the body of my improved tub, are straps 8,which extend across the said body and are fastened to the opposite side,one end secured to one side of the tub, and the other buckled in abuckle 8, secured to the opposite side.

The numeral 9 represents my sack supporter, said supporter beingconstructed in two separate parts, preferably connected together bymeans of a hinge 9 the outer ends of said parts terminating inextensions 10, to the lower face of which are secured loops 10.

When in use, the said sack supporter 9 is placed directly beneath thebody of my improved tub in such a manner that the said straps 8, passunder the extensions 10, and through the loops 10 and support the saidsack supporter. The said supporter may now be raised or lowered by meansof the straps 8, and buckles 8 the said supporter affording a firm andsubstantial rest for the bather, and preventing the said sack frombagging. The said sack supporter is preferably of such construction thatit may be folded up with the body of my improved tub, and thusfacilitate the easy handling of said tub.

Having described my invention, What I claim as new and desire to secureby Letters Patent, isz- 1. A foldable bath tub, consisting of a body intwo parts, 1 and 2, hinged together, the outer face of said bodyprovided with an annular recess (3; legs 4, removably secured to saidbody; a sack 7, fitting the inner part of said body, its bottomextending below the same, its upper part turning outwardly anddownwardly, and fitting in said annular groove or recess (3; springclasps 3, secured to the outer face of said body. and adapted to holdthe upper part of said sack in said recess; a foldable bottom 9,suspended below said body, supporting the bottom of said sack; straps 8,and buckles 8 holding said bottom in position.

2. In a bath tub, the combination of a body consisting of two members, 1and 2, the adjacent ends of said members so constructed as to providedetachable hook hinges; detachable legs 4, secured to said members; asack 7, the casing or rolled er ge of which is adapted to .be secured ina recess (i, cut in the outer face of said members; a series of springclasps 33, secured to the two said members of the body, and adapted tocome in contact with the casing or rolled edge of said sack 7, andprevent same from juniping or leaving the recess of said members; a sacksupporter 9, consisting of two parts, secured together by means of ahinge 0 the outer ends of said parts terminating in extensions 10,provided on their lower faces with loops 10 straps S, secured across thebody of said tub, and secured at their one end to one side, the oppositeends buckled in buckles 8 secured to the outer face of the said members1 and 2, said straps adapted to pass through the loop 10 of said sacksupporter 9, and with the assistance of said buckles 8 hold the saidsupporter in position, substantially as shown and described and for thepurposes set forth.

.I. In a bath tub, the combination of a detachable hook hinge,consisting of two members, 11 and 15, the upper portion of said member11, provided with a curved portion 12, conforming to the curved portion15 of said member 1.5; apeg' 13, extending outwardly from said member11, said peg adapted to enter a hole 14, in the member 15, when saidmembers are brought into position; a notch recess 16, formed in theinner end of said member 15, said recess adapted to receive and hold ahook 17, of said member 11, and two transversely opposite safety plates18 and 1!), secured to the said member 15, said safety plates insuringagainst any liability of lateral displacement of the two said members,substantially as shown and described and for the purposes set forth.

In testimony whereof we aflix our signatures, in pres ence of twosubscribing witnesses.

FRED. M. SHERRER. BENJAMIN. M FALER.

Witnesses C. H. \Voonnn, W. .T. VERNON.

